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Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has opened up about his decision to remain an independent artiste throughout his career, saying his ability to manage key aspects of the music business made signing to a traditional record label unnecessary.
The award-winning musician revealed that he taught himself the technical and business skills required to produce, promote and distribute his music, allowing him to build a sustainable career without relying on a label.
Speaking about his journey in the music industry, Shatta Wale said he gradually realised he was already performing many of the functions typically handled by record companies.
“I found out I was doing everything a record label needed. Producing my own beats, mixing them, mastering them, doing my own flyers, uploading them on YouTube myself and on other stores myself because I’m a tech person, so I learnt all those things,” he said.
According to the On God hitmaker, acquiring these skills enabled him to take full control of his music career while maximising his earnings and exploring investment opportunities outside the entertainment industry.
He explained that managing his own business affairs has allowed him to save and grow his income over the years.
“I saw it from like 10 years ago that I could run myself properly and make money. I’ve been able to build that, save those monies, even venture into playing games on my phone and winning bigger money with the same money. So I’ve flipped the money,” he stated.
Despite championing independence, Shatta Wale acknowledged the significant role record labels can play in an artiste’s development, particularly by providing financial backing, marketing support and access to international networks.
However, he cautioned musicians to fully understand the financial implications of signing recording contracts, stressing that labels invest with the expectation of generating substantial returns.
“The advantage is that they can push you to become a superstar, but it’s up to you to maintain it. The money they put into you, you have to put it at the back of your mind that they are going to get a lot from you,” he explained.
Shatta Wale further noted that his experience in the music industry and ownership of his catalogue have placed him in a stronger position to negotiate any future business partnerships.
He added that retaining ownership of his music rights and master recordings would remain a priority should he ever decide to sign a record deal.
The musician’s remarks reinforce his long-held belief that artistes should understand the business side of music and, where possible, develop the skills needed to maintain control over their careers while making informed decisions about partnerships.
